The Dark Places R. Whitfield (read aloud books TXT) 📖

He nodded. “Sure.”

She smiled and looked down at her hands. “I know you have been trying to get my attention.” A delicate blush crept up her cheeks, and he fought the urge to kiss her right then.

“Have I been that obvious?” he replied, with a sexy grin.

Surin laughed, a rich, deep sound that did things to his body he didn’t expect.

“Well, you’re not an easy person to ignore,” she added. “I guess I’m just wondering why?”

He looked at her, confused.

“Is it because I’m head cheerleader?”

Now it was his turn to laugh, and she found herself smiling with him. He reached out and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

“No, it’s not. I have been trying to get your attention since junior year, Surin.” He continued, “I have never had any problems getting a girl’s attention before, so you’ve been very challenging!” He raised his eyebrows.

“So, it’s the chase then?” she said defiantly. “You think there’s some kind of prize at the end of this race?” she added, feeling her temper begin to rise.

He stepped back and grabbed one of her hands. “I like you,” he said simply, “a lot.” He smiled. “I just want to be with you, you and no one else.”

She watched him carefully.

“Why do you find that hard to believe?” he breathed.

“Because you’re Eamon Sutherland,” she replied, with a shrug.

He realised then that maybe she wasn’t so unaffected by him. He took his time and unashamedly let his eyes travel over her face, her hair and neck, he noticed the pulse at the base of her throat beating quickly. He stepped back in towards her, carefully, like he was approaching a wild animal.

“So, is that a yes then?” he whispered, running his hands up to her waist. She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes. “Yes, you will be mine?” He leaned in and brushed his lips over hers gently.

She opened her eyes, and they were ablaze with need. He smiled again.

“No,” she panted.

He chuckled and let his hands run over her taut midriff, his thumb skittering under the small crop top. “Your skin is like silk,” he murmured, “you say ‘no’ Surin, but your eyes tell me a different story,”

Her lips parted involuntarily, and he moved in, clasping her neck gently with both hands, his thumbs running over her mouth. She dropped her bag to the ground and held onto his strong forearms.

“I’m not going to kiss you until you tell me to,” he teased, savouring the moment he finally had her in his arms.

“I’m no conquest,” she breathed.

He smiled, knowing he had won. He leaned in closer, and she closed her eyes. He could feel her breasts pressing against him, and it was almost enough to send him over the edge.

“Kiss me,” she whispered.

He groaned and finally claimed her lips with his own. The kiss was slow, deep, and he explored her mouth with his tongue. She moaned loudly and reached up, running her hands through his hair, pulling it gently. He stood back suddenly and stared at her. She was breathing heavily — her eyes brimming with desire.

“God, I have wanted you for so long,” he said. “I knew it would be like this,” he added and reached for her again. Losing control, he kissed her hard, but she matched his urgency. He wrapped his arms around her and lowered her to the ground. Lying down, he moved his mouth to her neck, inhaling her scent. “You smell like heaven,” he whispered and reached up under her top, cupping her breast through her bra. “So beautiful,” he continued and moved down to take her in his mouth. She threw her head back as his lips found her nipple and sucked hard.

“Stop,” she breathed.

He smiled, ignoring her, and continued to move his hands down her body until he reached the band of her underpants.

“You want this, Surin,” he said and slipped his fingers under the material until he felt her. She was warm and wet and ready for him.

“Stop, please,” she repeated.

He looked up, and she was staring at him, her lips red and swollen from his kisses.

“Really?” he breathed.

“Yes,” she added sternly.

It took all he had to remove his hands from her. He crawled back up her body and held her face between his hands. She tried to look away.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, still trying to catch his breath.

“I’m not ready for that, Eamon,” she said.

He smiled. You seemed pretty ready, he thought. “I’m in no rush, Surin. I told you I just want to be with you.” When he leaned in and kissed her again, she responded immediately. He pulled back, grabbed her hand and helped her stand.

“How about I walk you home,” he said, and in that moment, when she smiled at him, he knew that she was going to be his forever.

***

Baltimore, Maryland, Present day

Surin was trying to work out what to say.

“Surin,” Parker urged, “you can’t drop a bomb like that and then close down,” he added, sitting beside her on the couch. She looked over at him and smiled sadly.

“I was kind of a different person in high school,” she started, “you know, the typical story, cheerleader meets quarterback, the eternal high school sweethearts.”

Parker sat forward. “Wait, you were a cheerleader?” He grinned. She punched his arm.

“Head cheerleader, actually,” she added and continued. “But, yes, I was everything that I thought I wanted to be.” She stood and walked into the kitchen, then leaned out. “Coffee?” she asked. Parker shook his head and decided to follow her and sat at the table.

“I always wanted to do criminology, always wanted to be a cop like Dad, but there was a time in my life that I wanted what all girls